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Lack of Nazis 'a shame' at Bulge re-enactment at Fort Indiantown Gap

By BARBARA WESTFor The Lebanon Daily News

Updated:
01/27/2013 08:02:05 PM EST

World War II re-enactors answer questions from the crowd during the annual Battle of the Bulge re-enactment at Fort Indiantown Gap on Saturday. The re-enactment and the weekend that encompasses it commemorates the Germans last-ditch offensive in the waning months of the war. Ironically, as one participant pointed out, there weren t enough German re-enactors to hold the battle as planned on Saturday. (LEBANON DAILY NEWS CHRIS KNIGHT)

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP - Gunfire offered a staccato echo as combat boots trampled through a forest blanketed by a crust of snow.

These were battlefield sounds reminiscent of the largest land battle of World War II, a German offensive fought 68 years ago in the Ardennes region of Belgium.

And they were what spectators who came out for the annual Battle of the Bulge re-enactment, part of the annual World War II Living History Weekend presented by the World War II Federation, expected to see Saturday at Fort Indiantown Gap.

The annual weekend commemorates the Germans' Ardennes-Alsace Campaign - the so-called Battle of the Bulge - that began on Dec.

David Bauer, left, a re-enactor with the 30th Infantry Division, visits with Floyd Demmy of Harrisburg, a World War II veteran, before the start of the Battle of the Bulge re-enactment Saturday at Fort Indiantown Gap. (LEBANON DAILY NEWS BARBARA WEST)

16, 1944, and lasted until Jan. 25, 1945.

But on Saturday, history-loving visitors were disappointed: there weren't enough German re-enactors to hold the battle as planned.

Though the reason wasn't fully clear, an announcement minutes before the start of the battle explained that only Allied soldiers would be in the woods, simulating a reconnaissance sweep. German soldiers, the announcement noted, would be available afterward to meet spectators.

The reaction to the news from the crowd, whose members gathered in the picnic grove at Area 12, was instantaneous.

"It's a big disappointment to come this far and have this happen," one unnamed spectator lamented.

There were even a few boos.

And the spectators weren't the only ones expressing their displeasure.

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"It's a shame. I'm disappointed about it myself," David Bauer, a re-enactor with the 30th Infantry Division, admitted, calling it ironic that the Germans had missed their own offensive. "There still will be some gunfire, though."

As one of the military police, or MPs, Bauer's job was to see that spectators, for their own safety, remained behind the yellow and black caution tape.

"As long as you stay behind this sturdy and expensive barricade, you'll be safe," the Allentown man joked to those awaiting the first shots.

Re-enactor Bill Burruss of Bloomingdale, Ohio, gets ready to march into battle during the Battle of the Bulge re-enactment Saturday at Fort Indiantown Gap. (LEBANON DAILY NEWS CHRIS KNIGHT)

"As they fire, the brass casings eject and are red-hot and will burn you. That's why we have everyone stay behind the line."

Standing near the front line was a man who had witnessed World War II himself, although he was deployed to the front only after the Battle of the Bulge.

Floyd Demmy of Harrisburg served proudly with the 54th Armored Battalion of the 10th Armored Division. According to his friends, he has enjoyed attending living-history events, such as the one held at the Gap. He's known for casting a discerning eye on the uniform, gear and weaponry of the re-enactors.

Saturday was no exception.

Bauer's boots caught Demmy's attention, so he struck up a conversation with the younger man.

"Those you have on go up to your knees," Demmy observed.

Greg Zajac of Charlotte, N.C., straps an Army helmet on his son Sam, 11, during the Battle of the Bulge re-enactment at Fort Indiantown Gap on Saturday. The Gap s landmark water tower stands in the distance. (LEBANON DAILY NEWS CHRIS KNIGHT)

"The ones we had on only went halfway up."

Bauer said afterward that he enjoyed his conversation with the veteran.

"This is all rather cool for me since three or four years ago I came here as a spectator, and now here I am participating on the other side of the line," he said.

Demmy said he was pleased and responded with an unexpected, "This is just awesome."

Despite the changes in Saturday's itinerary, there were plenty of living-history opportunities to explore. Sharing that history is what enticed some re-enactors from Fredericksburg to become involved.

Adam Daub, a member of the 5th Rangers "C" Company re-enactors, came dressed in camouflage snow gear once worn by the 193rd Rifle Division of the Russian army.

A unit of German soldier re-enactors marches through the streets of Fort Indiantown Gap on Saturday, too late for the morning re-enactment. A lack of German soldiers led to an alternate battle plan for the traditional Battle of the Bulge re-enactment. (LEBANON DAILY NEWS BARBARA WEST)

"I've been involved for a few years now," he said. "I enjoying teaching kids the history of the war. It's so much more interesting than what you learn in school."

Fellow re-enactor Chandra Desrosiers agreed.

"I've always loved history, and they just don't teach history right in schools," she said. "This is another way for kids to learn about what happened during the war."

Purchasing the garments and gear can be expensive, they said. Both said they shop for their gear on eBay. While her shirt was authentic WWII era, Desrosiers said, her jacket, pants, boots were reproductions.

"I don't think that you should be out rolling around in the mud in something that's original," she said.

While there were no barracks open for public tours, visitors were invited to tour several smaller buildings, a German field hospital, and Naval and communications displays in the Gap's Area 13. There was also a flea market with extensive period garb and gear for sale.

Rounding out the list of activities was a dinner and evening of entertainment at the Community Club on Saturday night.

Activities held for participants and veterans in the past week included a chapel service, a luncheon at the Lebanon VA Medical Center, 1940s fashion show, period entertainment and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Monument on Friday afternoon.